After 12 years in the wilderness, Algeria returned to the World Cup their first appearance since 2014.
Algeria return to a World Cup after missing 2018 and 2022. Les Fennecs qualified top of their CAF group under coach Vladimir Petković. The squad combines European-league stars (Mahrez, Slimani, Feghouli) with new generational talents (Amine Gouiri, Badredine Bouanani, Rayan Aït-Nouri).
Algeria experienced an inconsistent group stage, mixing moments of promise with frustrating setbacks. In the knockout rounds, they fell to Switzerland in the Round of 32. Switzerland proved to be a step too far, and Algeria's campaign came to a decisive end in the Round of 32.
1won1drawn2lost
5scored9conceded
Failed to score in 2 of 4 matches just 1 win in 4 matches.
Riyad Mahrez, 35, was Africa's top-scoring winger for a decade. Now at Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia after Manchester City, his decisive performances in AFCON 2019 (tournament-winning goal vs Nigeria) will be remembered long after his playing days.
Riyad Mahrez led Algeria's attack with 2 goals at the 2026 World Cup.
Petković, a Swiss-Bosnian coach, took over Algeria in 2023. He previously managed Lazio, Switzerland (to the Euro 2020 quarter-final), and Bordeaux. His tactical moderation has steadied a talented but sometimes inconsistent Algerian squad. Leading Algeria at his first World Cup just 1 win in 4 under Petković.
